Method for detecting the movement of a temporomandibular joint

Abstract

Described is a method for detecting and displaying the movement of a temporomandibular joint which connects a lower jaw and an upper jaw by magnetic resonance imaging. A marker is secured to the lower jaw, a marker movement curve is generated using magnetic resonance imaging measurement data sets during a first measurement interval, during which the lower jaw is moved relative to the upper jaw, and a point which corresponds to a first position of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw is ascertained on the movement curve. An image data set is generated during a second measurement interval, during which the temporomandibular joint is not moved, and a first model, which represents at least one part of the upper jaw and/or a temporal bone part that comprises the temporomandibular joint socket, and a second model, which represents at least one part of the lower jaw, are ascertained therefrom. A movement curve of the second model relative to the first model is calculated and displayed using the marker movement curve.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. Method for detecting and displaying the movement of a temporomandibular joint of a patient with magnetic resonance imaging, comprising
 securing at least one marker that is visible to the magnetic resonance to the lower jaw of a patient by a securing measure, 
 generating a plurality of magnetic resonance imaging measurement data sets of a recording volume in chronological succession during a first measurement time interval, 
 positioning at least the temporomandibular joint, and/or at least a part of the lower jaw, as well as the at least one marker within the recording volume during the first measurement time interval, 
 executing a movement of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw during the first measurement time interval, where the movement of the lower jaw involves a first position relative to the upper jaw, 
 identifying one at least two-dimensional marker position of the at least one marker in the recording volume in each measurement data set, 
 producing a marker movement curve on the basis of the determined marker positions, 
 identifying or knowing a point on the marker movement curve corresponding to the first position of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw, 
 generating at least one image data set of the recording volume during a second measurement time interval, 
 positioning the at least the temporomandibular joint, and/or the at least a part of the lower jaw, as well as the at least one marker within the recording volume during the second measurement time interval, 
 during the second measurement time interval, the lower jaw is in the first position relative to the upper jaw, 
 identifying a first model, which displays at least a part of the upper jaw and/or a part of the temporal bone that comprises the temporomandibular joint socket (fossa mandibularis), and a second model, which displays at least a part of the lower jaw, from the image data set, 
 determining a relative position of the at least one marker to the first model and to the second model from the image data set, and 
 calculating a movement path of the second model relative to the first model and displaying the movement path on the basis of the marker movement curve and the relative position of the first model and the second model to the at least one marker. 
 
     
     
       2. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein each measurement data set comprises at least three 1D projection images or at least two 2D projection images. 
     
     
       3. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein each measurement data set comprises exactly one 1D projection image, and wherein one respective marker position is identified on the basis of at least two measurement data sets. 
     
     
       4. Method according to any  claim 1 , wherein the image data set is generated by magnetic resonance imaging. 
     
     
       5. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the image data set is generated optically, and wherein the at least one marker is optically uniquely identifiable. 
     
     
       6. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the image data set is generated by radiography, and wherein the at least one marker is radiopaque at least within a known range. 
     
     
       7. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one marker is a magnetic resonance imaging active marker or a magnetic resonance imaging semi-active marker. 
     
     
       8. Method according to  claim 7 , wherein the active or semi-active marker comprises a coil. 
     
     
       9. Method according to  claim 8 , wherein a body filled with a liquid is disposed within the coil. 
     
     
       10. Method according to  claim 9 , wherein the liquid is doped with a contrast agent. 
     
     
       11. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one marker comprises a three-dimensionally unique structure. 
     
     
       12. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one marker is placed within the oral cavity of a patient on a surface of at least one tooth or outside an oral cavity of a patient. 
     
     
       13. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the securing measure is a paraocclusal tray, wherein the paraocclusal tray is placed on teeth of the lower jaw and is detachably connected to said teeth, wherein the at least one marker is placed on at least one arm of the paraocclusal tray projecting from an oral cavity of a patient and at least one receiving coil for producing the first measurement data sets and/or the image data set is disposed in a region around the temporomandibular joints.